The Martial God with Psychic Powers

News from the North and East was immediately delivered to Yeon Woo Jin.
Hearing it, Yeon Woo Jin smirked.

“This might go more smoothly than I expected.”
If he waited and then subjugated the victor, he could take both the North and the East in one move.
No need to waste time making rounds through either region.

“They’re sorting themselves out.”
Once they were taken care of, only Jungcheon remained.
When should he strike Jungcheon?

Not yet.
For now, the kids weren’t yet at a level capable of challenging Jungcheon.
The current top student of Jungcheon was at the Hwagyeong-level.

A realm known as Transcendent Mastery, beyond even Apex.
The difference in class was overwhelming.
But that didn’t mean it would be easy next year either.

The current top intermediate student was already at Apex-Level, Twelfth Star—Extreme Stage.
A genius fully capable of reaching Hwagyeong next year.
Even their underclassmen weren’t to be taken lightly.

Not just the top student—many others were strong as well.
There was a reason general High Divisions were distinguished from Jungcheon.
It was a place operating on an entirely different level of strength.

One fortunate thing: Jungcheon didn’t have many students.
Elite few.
Their underclassman group had the most members, yet even then, there were only about fifteen.
But each of those fifteen could become a top student immediately if placed in any general High Division.

At minimum, another year of intense grinding was needed to raise his group strong enough to take on Jungcheon.
Even after unifying the general High Divisions, he had no plans to publicize it widely.
That was why he’d brought Yang Munseong of the Recruitment Division under his command.

Yang Munseong would thoroughly suppress the spread of information—until Jungcheon was conquered.
This is where the true difficulty begins.
Starting next year, he planned to push Jang Woon, Sunwoo Baek, and the others to reach Hwagyeong.

Not an easy feat.
Early to mid-Apex levels had been manageable, but late-stage Apex was a whole different realm—requiring deep insight and revelation.
And breaking through from Extreme Apex to Hwagyeong was even more difficult.

Unless one experienced a battle hovering between life and death.
“Life and death… I may need to rework the Illusory Formation. Make it more realistic.”
If they brush against ‘real’ death, perhaps they’ll grasp something.

 
****
Eastern Region—Hwangyong High Division.

With Yang Gang, Pyeong Cheon, and the core members of Hwangyong gathered, a serious discussion was underway.
“If we compare our power with Heukho’s, we’re at a disadvantage.”
“We’re weaker than the entire North as a whole. The gap with the other High Divisions is bigger than we thought.”

At the students’ remarks, Yang Gang’s expression grew more grave.
“Then how about pulling the Western region to our side?”
“The West?”

“Yeah. If the North moves and we lose, the West and South will fall under their control anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to ally with us, defeat the North, and then maintain an equal footing?”
“Wouldn’t that be too much of a loss for us?”
“Still better than getting swallowed by the North. We can always take the West later.”

“Would the Western ones accept? The strongest there is… Heukseok, right?”
“Yeah, from what I’ve heard, Heukseok has already taken control of the West.”
“Really? Sounds like they were provoked by the South too.”

“Apparently, they’re already itching to move on the South.”
“That so? Then the chances of them accepting our proposal go up.”
“Exactly. It benefits them more to support us against the North than to stretch themselves fighting the South.”

“What are your thoughts?”
He turned and asked the intermediate and underclassmen.
They all nodded.

“We fully support the senior members’ plan!”
“We agree!”
“Good. Then who’ll go to the West?”

“I will.”
“You, Pyeong Cheon?”
“Yeah. It’ll be more persuasive if the second-in-command goes, won’t it?”

“True. You take the hard job this time.”
“Alright, I’ll go. In the meantime, secure the rest of the East.”
“No problem. It’ll be all sorted by the time you return.”

 
****
On the way to Heukseok, Pyeong Cheon didn’t just travel—he gathered intel.

In the process, he confirmed that Heukseok had already taken full control of the Western region.
“Impressive. So they’ve already dominated the West. No wonder they’re moving to take the South.”
This year truly seemed to be shaping up for something major.

Never before had such events unfolded across every region at once.
But Pyeong Cheon didn’t know—
The intel he had gathered was fabricated.

From the outside, it looked like all the Western High Divisions had submitted to Heukseok, but in truth, they were following Baekyeong’s orders.
Orders to act as if they were loyal to Heukseok.
Thus, all the High Divisions in the West were carefully watching Heukseok’s every move.

Of course, Heukseok really was the strongest in the region.
Unaware of these facts, Pyeong Cheon was fully convinced Heukseok had secured the West.
“This should make things easier.”

Since the West was already unified, all he had to do was win over Heukseok.
With that belief, Pyeong Cheon finally arrived at Heukseok.
Meanwhile, word came that a guest had arrived from the East, and Bango, top student of Heukseok, tilted his head.

“From the East? Where?”
“They’re from Hwangyong.”
“What’s someone from the strongest Eastern High Division doing here?”

At the words of Seongwon, ranked second, Bango nodded.
“Sounds like they’re here to ask for our help against the North.”
“That’s what I think too.”

“But what can we do? We’ve already submitted to the South.”
“What should we do? Just send him back?”
“Do we even have the authority to decide?”

“Nope.”
“Then there’s nothing to discuss. We’re in no position to act on our own—we’ll just have to tell him to wait.”
Bango stood up.

“Let’s meet him, at least.”
“Right.”
 

****
Pyeong Cheon met with Bango.
His first impression of Bango was: powerful.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Pyeong Cheon of Hwangyong High Division, Eastern region.”
“Likewise. I’m Bango of Heukseok.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet the famed strongest of the West.”

“You flatter me. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
“Hwangyong is quite far. What brings you all the way out here?”

At Bango’s question, Pyeong Cheon hesitated briefly—then got straight to the point.
“You’re aware of Heukho High Division up North, I assume?”
“Of course. Aside from Jungcheon, they’re said to be the strongest in Mushincheon.”

“They’ve started to move. It seems they’re no longer satisfied with just reputation.”
“They’ve moved?”
“They appear to be aiming for unification of Mushincheon High Division.”

“I see. I suppose it is strange they’ve remained still with such power.”
“They had no reason to act. Even if they stood still, everyone praised them as the strongest—why exert the effort?”
“So what made them suddenly move?”

“Apparently, they were provoked by the South.”
“The South?”
“Are you familiar with Baekyeong?”

At the mention of Baekyeong, not only Bango but the other Heukseok students visibly flinched.
“Very well.”
Of course they knew. How could they not?

“Of course, our Eastern region won’t be taken by the North so easily… but it’s true we’re at a bit of a disadvantage. So, I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes. I propose an alliance between the East and the West. Let’s join forces and take Mushincheon High Division together.”

At Pyeong Cheon’s words, Bango smirked.
“What’s the matter?”
“If we lend you our strength to subdue the North, we’ll be your next target, won’t we?”

“T-There’s no way that would happen.”
“When you raise a chicken, you nurture it with care. Then you eat it. Aren’t we the chicken here? You may treat us well for now, but in the end, we’ll be eaten.”
“That’s a serious [N O V E L I G H T] misunderstanding.”

As Pyeong Cheon floundered, Bango replied.
“Unfortunately… we can’t accept that proposal right now.”
“What?”

“We’re not in a position to make that decision ourselves.”
“Y-You need permission? From whom? Isn’t Heukseok the strongest in the Western region?”
“We are the strongest in the West.”

“Then who do you need permission from?”
“Baekyeong.”
“What? Baekyeong—as in, the South?”

“Yes. The West has already been taken by the South.”
“Gasp!”
Pyeong Cheon was genuinely startled and sucked in a breath.

“Well, I suppose it’s possible you didn’t know. The kids have been keeping things quiet.”
“P-Please, don’t joke about that.”
“It’s no joke. It’s true. We… serve under Baekyeong of the South. Not just us—every High Division in the West is now under Baekyeong. So, if we’re to act, we have to get their permission.”

“T-That’s absurd… to think you lost to the South…”
“‘The South’? You should watch your mouth.”
He had insulted the South right in front of the Heukseok students who had lost to them—of course, the atmosphere shifted coldly.

A massive pressure surged from Bango’s body.
After being defeated by Shin Dowoon of Baekyeong, he had let go of everything.
Then, enlightenment had struck—and Bango’s cultivation had reached Apex-Level, Fourth Star.

Barely a step below the level of Hwangyong High Division’s top student.
Feeling Bango’s aura, Pyeong Cheon’s expression changed to one of shock.
He was strong.

Even those around him were strong.
“M-My apologies. I misspoke!”
At Pyeong Cheon’s apology, Bango retracted his aura and gave a faint smile.

“I understand. Just last month, we thought the same as you.”
Last month?
Then it hadn’t been long since the West fell under the South’s control.

“But since you’ve come all this way, I’ll give you a piece of advice. If you want help… you should go to Baekyeong, not us. That’s the only way to move the entire West.”
“B-Baekyeong… Are they really that strong?”
At Pyeong Cheon’s question, Bango gave a deep smile.

“Go see for yourself. Then you’ll understand.”
Pyeong Cheon swallowed hard.
What in the world is going on?

Lost in thought, he quickly made up his mind.
Yes. I’ll go myself and confirm whether their words are true.
If Baekyeong really was that powerful, then they needed to forge an alliance.

Pyeong Cheon quickly bid farewell to Heukseok and rushed toward the Southern region.
Watching his retreating figure vanish in the distance, Bango muttered.
“Fools. The truly dangerous region is the South.”

“As if they’d understand.”
“They’ll figure it out soon enough—just how terrifyingly strong the Southern region really is.”
“Should we report this to Baekyeong?”

“Send a messenger hawk. Record everything that happened today in detail.”
“Got it.”
 

****
Jang Woon came running with a letter in hand, looking urgent.
“A letter from Heukseok!”

Yeon Woo Jin immediately opened it and began reading.
“Hmm.”
“What’s it say? What was so important that they had to send a messenger hawk?”

“It says someone from Hwangyong in the East came proposing an alliance.”
“From the East?”
“Yeah. The North’s currently moving to swallow the East.”

“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I was waiting for that—hoping the North would finish the job.”
“Then if we subdue the North…”

“To the outside world, it’ll look like we’ve unified Mushincheon High Division.”
“Right. No one considers Jungcheon part of the general High Division system.”
“And they say the envoy is headed our way.”

“Who? The one from the East?”
“Yeah.”
“We’d better prepare for his arrival. How should we receive him?”

“Show him Baekyeong’s strength.”
“Got it!”
 

****
The place Pyeong Cheon reached at full speed using lightfootwork—
Was Baekyeong High Division.

Upon arrival, someone was already waiting to receive him.
“Are you the envoy from Hwangyong in the East?”
“Y-Yes, I am.”

“We were informed and have been waiting. I’m Jang Woon, second-ranked student of Baekyeong High Division.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Pyeong Cheon, second-ranked of Hwangyong. How did you know I was coming?”
“Heukseok sent a messenger hawk. They said a guest was coming and to receive him properly.”

Heukseok sent a hawk?
Then Baekyeong really had conquered Heukseok?
Otherwise, there would be no reason to alert them this way.

“I heard you came to propose an alliance. Is that correct?”
“Y-Yes, it is.”
“Then come inside. Our top student is waiting for you. I’ll take you there.”

“T-Thank you.”
As Pyeong Cheon followed Jang Woon, he took in the sights of Baekyeong around him.